Christian Coffee House - Prayer/Chat thread. No rubbish church coffee allowed.

[Madhairday]

With the latest prayer thread coming to an end, we thought we would create a new thread for prayer and general chat too - we had chat threads running for years alongside prayer threads, and we thought it would be great to combine them. I try and collate some of the prayer requests from the last thread in the next few days. In the meantime, dive in! Lurkers/newbies - you are welcome to post. Feel free to start any chat subject about Christianity, church, worship etc, and do share any prayer needs.
Would love to hear from those who were on previous threads and haven't been around for a while, too. Come and let us know how you are.

And I think that God is saying to you: My dear child, I love you as you are. I love you so much that you will be able to be the best you can be. And I will never, not in this life, or the next abandon you. Don’t worry about it, I will sort it out. Go, go, be the best you can be, love people, because I love them too and want them to know me. Because I am God and I love the world and everyone in it. Go free, your sins are forgiven, because I love you so much.”

Dutchoma

That is beautiful.

Welcome to @Hedgemoon, @PenguinsAndPandasOhMy and @73kittycat73

kittykat - don't worry yourself about Revelation. It isn't a threat or warning - as Durchma hassaid, it is a reassurance that all will be well.

It's worth remember ing, too, that it was written to church members who were under threat, and that a lot of it is coded information, so try not to take it literally.

It's such a shame that at the moment we can't get together for bible study - I now we can help each other online, but being able to discuss things face-to-face is so much easier and more illuminating. Plus - to be honest, Revelation ties even the most experienced theologians in knots.

I would concentrate on the Gospels in the NT, and the Book of James myself. If I was limited to only one non-Gospel book of the Bible for the rest of my life, it would be James. It encourages us to live as Christians and not just pay lip-service to the Christian faith. I find it very inspiring, but of course, other people are moved by other writings. God will guide you to what you need at this moment.

Dutchoma, not Durchma - what happened there I have no idea

And it's so important to remember that God doesn't need us to be good, in order to get us to heaven and to live in communion with Him for eternity. Jesus' death on the cross gave that to all who believe in Him.

Our love for Jesus means that we want to follow His teachings, and the Spirit living in us helps us to do that, even though we are weak.

Welcome @73kittycat73. Absolutely what the lovely Oma said - God is so bursting with grace and not condemnation. Sadly there's been too much emphasis on eternal damnation etc in many churches through history, mainly in order to wield power over the weak, but Jesus turns that narrative on its head in the way he talks to people and the priorities he models - loving God, loving our neighbours. This is not a religion of fear but a relationship of freedom; Jesus went to death to set us free from its power over us. And it never fails to amaze me that it's nothing to do with how good we are. We don't earn this freedom, we just accept it as a free gift of grace. And living within that truth is liberating. You don't have to live in fear of messing up, of not being 'good' all the time - you're human. And God's grace covers over all that mess we make, freely and abundantly.

It's so wonderful you're being promoted to come closer to God - just remember that he only longs for your love, for you to come closer to him, not for you to live fearful of slipping up.

The prodigal son is such a wonderful story because it demonstrates this generous grace in such a vivid way. The father is out there on the road, arms open wide, not telling the son off or turning him away but throwing him a party.

Please don't stress about Revelation. It's a book of prophecy but prophecy can be wide ranging and is so often through scripture metaphorical to represent stuff. Don't get caught up in all that end times madness, but take heart from the truths contained within the beauty of the poetry; that Christ will come again, that all will be made right, that there will be no more tears, or mourning, or pain, or death.

Welcome, and do feel free to ask anything and explore stuff here.

*prompted not promoted!

@PenguinsAndPandasOhMy thank you so much for sharing your story. So excited to hear God has been at work within you. Have you come across the YouVersion app - lots of really helpful resources on there for Bible reading plans etc, on various subjects, you might find that helpful. Do explore here too, ask questions.

In a way now is a good time to have a look at your local churches as they should be doing some online services etc - you could get a feel for what they are like and what sort of stuff they do. My church does services on FB live and on YouTube, if anyone wants links to them just shout.

So good to see new people here with us. :)

Hello everyone. Thank you so much for the advice and warm welcome.
I understand about 'Hell and Damnation' preaching. When I was a child (Around 7/8?) I went to church for what I think was Mothering Sunday. The church was packed. The vicar, instead of a sermon about lovely mums, started preaching about, 'Rivers of blood in hell,' and 'Maggots eating your flesh.' I've been scared of going to hell ever since I can remember. I don't know if that was the start of it or not?
I appreciate, Dutchoma what you are saying about being a Christian is about God's love and not fear of going to hell. I really would like to feel that love. I also had a 'spiritual awakening' about 7 years ago. My childhood and first relationship was abusive. It was all about survival and get what you can when you can. I wasn't a bad person, but was a shinning example either! I became acutely aware of all the things I had don e wrong in my life, in fact I had a breakdown over it. Afterward I tried to make as many amends as I could. 90-95% I have done and have to live with the rest.
This time however, I have been convinced that I was going to die soon. I had been pondering my life, thinking it was a very good one/enjoyable, when it suddenly struck me, 'What have I done to help others?'
Then I went on to read about life after death experiences and wound up with my first post here.

SchadenfreudePersonified Thank you for your reading material suggestion:
I would concentrate on the Gospels in the NT, and the Book of James myself
Is The Book of James also in the NT? Is there a particular Bible you recommend? I really would love to read more about Jesuses teachings.

Sorry for the terrible spelling of Jesus there!

Thank you also JanuaryChill and Madhairday Thank you all so much for being so nice. I feel I can tell the truth on here and still be accepted for it. Thank you.

Hello to all of the new people.

How is everyone doing? We've stopped having live Masses again this week. (Not that I'd been anyway.). I think that they felt that while they'd made it as 'safe' as they could and 'safer' than a lot of places it was encouraging people to get out and travel rather than stay at home. I'm not sure they are even opening it for private prayer now.

Am also happy to give links to youtube/FB live services if anyone wants them.

Best advice on Bible reading is to find a translation you can get on with. There's no point struggling with a version with lovely poetic language if it's putting you off actually reading it. New International Version is quite popular.

I have an NRSV version and a New Jerusalem. Second one, largely because it's the version used in the Mass in England.

An NIV copy of just the gospels might be a good place to start. Mark is the shortest gospel, but I Matthew or Luke is probably a good place to start.

If you look in the App store and search for Bible YouVersion, you get the whole of the Bible in loads of languages and loads of translations. I would post a link, but keep going round in circles. There are reading plans and all sorts of things in there, enough to last you a long time.
And yes, James is also in the New Testament.

I see Madhairday already mention the Youversion Bible app, do check it out as there is no point getting hard copies of the Bible before you know what you find easiest to read.

Talking of Bible translations, @ZenNudist how are you getting on with the Bible in a Year podcast? I'm not loving the translation they are using tbh which is a a shame because I like Jeff Cavins and Fr Mike.

Hello @PenguinsAndPandasOhMy and @Hedgemoon thanks for sharing your stories. A lot resonates with me as a relatively recent revert to Catholicism. I love stories of being drawn to God and of answered prayer. I think converts and reverts have more insecurity about Faith as they dont want to take it for granted and feel the loss of the years where it just didn't matter to them, and wanting to show your faith as best you can but uncertain you can do it right. If that makes any sense to you?

Prayers also for @73kittycat73, if you are being drawn to faith that is worth exploring but please don't worry about Hell and damnation. Just see where your explorations take you and pray to God for guidance.

Revelation is an odd book and it sits apart from the rest of the NT. I dont know enough about it and plan to read Revelation Road by Nick Page at some point to find out more. For now I'm more interested in his book about how Jesus started his ministry. That's my next Nick Page book (Thanks MHD you were right I have read more of his books after starting with the history of Christianity, he's very readable).

Could I ask for a prayer please for Ursula a reader in my church who died yesterday? She was old and her husband died a while ago. She was always in church and organised a lot. She wasn't ill so her death was sudden. I've worried about her all through the pandemic and now it seems she died of natural causes not Covid. Can we speed her on her way? I feel sure she's beginning a wonderful adventure of finding out what comes after.

@RafaIsTheKingOfClay I am really enjoying Fr Mike's bible in a year. It's a perfect length to start the day. I don't mind the translation. I was expecting something very American.

I let some of what he says wash over me and other things I think "that's your interpretation, where are you getting that from?). It's hard to absorb everything. I'm enjoying the story of genesis (there's some bits I didn't know!), feel like Job might be my favourite book of the bible even if it scares me, and am barely managing to cling on to what is being read from the psalms or proverbs. It's rushing past me and I'm tired at the start of the day but it feels like such a positive thing to be doing. I feel like I can stick at this. It's nice, not hard (so far).

This time however, I have been convinced that I was going to die soon. I had been pondering my life, thinking it was a very good one/enjoyable, when it suddenly struck me, 'What have I done to help others?'

That should be 'thinking it wasn't a very good one!

Hi ZenNudist thank you for the kind words. Sending prayers your way for Ursula, and sounds like you are struggling a bit in your last post? So praying for you too.

@73kittycat73

Hello everyone. I hope you don't mind me popping in? I have a question or two that I need help with. Last night, again, I felt God calling me, and Jesus. I find believing in God so much easier than believing in Jesus, in fact, I've been pretty scared of him. You see, to believe in Jesus, you have to believe in Revelations/The End Times. I find it hard to think that a loving God would put anybody through what is supposed to happen. Also, when holding myself up to Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I have sinned in the past and could quite easily sin now (Ie, not wishing good for my neighbours that have at times made life a living hell.). When I think of being a Christian, it means to me thinking 'good' thoughts, acting a certain way, basically changing who I am as a person (I hope that doesn't sound too bad! I'm not a bad person, I give to charity a lot and help others when I can. I've talked two different people out of suicide, and helped a girl whose dad was a busing her get some help.) I feel like I have to be 'good'pure' in thought and action all the time. Surely this is not right?! (I hope not as it's stressing me out.) Sorry to just come barging in with my questions. They've felt a bit urgent is all. Thank you for reading, and hello again to you all.

Hello all, new poster here and felt led to offer some thoughts to KittyKat. Firstly, we are all, each and every one of us, sinners. Whether in thought, word, or deed we all fall short. The difference is that by Gods’ infinite grace and love for us, he sent his only son Jesus Christ (God incarnate) to live amongst us, set an example to us and ultimately sacrifice his life for us as redemption for our sins. All that is asked is that we believe in Him, accept with gratitude that sacrifice by believing that we are saved and to follow Jesus as his disciples to the very best of our ability. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one and the same, but if we ignore the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we are denying the Gospel and our own salvation. In John 14:6 Jesus says’I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, if not by me’ . Ultimately, we must trust him implicitly with our lives, through the good and the bad, secure in the knowledge that if we stumble, like toddlers learning to walk, he will stretch out his hand, pick us up and set us back on our feet again! He knows every hair on your head, every thought that you have and you can be sure that if you trust him with your life and seek to deepen your personal relationship with Him through prayer and study of his Word (the Bible) He will provide all the answers to your questions and you will see him touch your life and heart in ways you could never imagine. Do not worry, He has reached out to you with a marvelous gift- Be thankful, grab it with both hands and trust Him that by His strength ( not ours) he will guide you, teach you and implement His plan for your life.

Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’

@73kittycat73

SchadenfreudePersonified Thank you for your reading material suggestion: I would concentrate on the Gospels in the NT, and the Book of James myself Is The Book of James also in the NT? Is there a particular Bible you recommend? I really would love to read more about Jesuses teachings.

Yes, it's in the NT - It's also known as the Epistle or Letter of James. It's short - only 5 chapters. It comes after all of Paul's Letter to the Hebrews (which is the last of Paul's letters). It's very near the back, so you may find it easier to start at the back and work forward!

Different Bibles suit different people. Personally I like the Jerusalem Bible and the NRSV and these are the ones I use most - I also like the Greek Orthodox Bible. I love the King James, but the language is very dense and I really like it for the poetry of the language (especially if you like to read it aloud) - it's not always easy to understand.

There's an online site called Oremus Bible Browser. You can put in a search for chapter and verse, and pick a version (it has about a dozen to chose from) and call it up. You could have a look at a few different ones, and it might perhaps help you to pick a bible that suits you.

@73kittycat73

Sorry for the terrible spelling of Jesus there!

Don't worry!

I have long thought that autocorrect was in league with Satan!

An NIV copy of just the gospels might be a good place to start. Mark is the shortest gospel, but I Matthew or Luke is probably a good place to start.

I'd agree with this-Mark is quite a fast-moving, straightforward Gospel, too - and it's the one thought to be to be the earliest and that Matthew and Luke are believed to be based on (though there is an argument for Matthew being the earliest IIRC).

Could I ask for a prayer please for Ursula a reader in my church who died yesterday?

I will hold her, and those who loved her in my prayers, Zen. As you say - she is stepping out on a great adventure. May her precious soul fly straight into the heart of God.

Thank you for the "Bible in a Year" and Nick Page recommendations everyone.

I think you might be right Schadenfreude. IIRC from the notes in my study Bible, there's a bit of to-ing and fro-ing earlier proto versions of Matthew and Mark with both taking bits from each other at various points.

Holding Ursula in prayer. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

You're going to love Revelation Road, Zen! I love all his books. I haven't read his new one yet about Christmas but it looks amazing and debunks all those things that fly around the internet every year about Christmas being nicked from pagans etc. Looking forward to it :)

Lovely to see newbies here. You're very welcome.